Founded in Tokyo in 1985 by animation directors Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, Studio Ghibli is one of the most successful and respected animation studios in the world. Cultivating a creative force of talented directors, animators and storytellers under the leadership of Miyazaki and Takahata, Studio Ghibli makes films that are praised for their originality, dazzling visuals and epic storytelling. The films have become a beloved part of Japanese popular culture and garnered worldwide acclaim from audiences and critics alike.

We celebrate the 30th anniversary of Studio Ghibli with our most comprehensive survey yet of its animated films. The series features the two most recent films from Ghibli’s founders: Hayao Miyazaki’s look at a WWII aircraft designer, THE WIND RISES, and Isao Takahata’s coming-of-age folk tale THE TALE OF THE PRINCESS KAGUYA. We also revisit old favorites, among them Miyazaki’s KIKI’S DELIVERY SERVICE, HOWL’S MOVING CASTLE, SPIRITED AWAY, PRINCESS MONONOKE and MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO and Takahata’s GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES, POM POKO and MY NEIGHBORS THE YAMADAS.

As brilliant as its leaders are, Studio Ghibli has developed a deep filmmaking bench over the past three decades including such directors as Yoshifumi Kondo (WHISPER OF THE HEART) and Hiroyuki Morita (THE CAT RETURNS). And such recent films as TALES FROM EARTHSEA and FROM UP ON POPPY HILL (both directed by Hayao Miyazaki’s son Gorō Miyazaki) and Hiromasa Yonebayashi’s dreamlike family drama WHEN MARNIE WAS THERE ensure that the Studio Ghibli legacy is in good hands.

Series also includes PORCO ROSSO, CASTLE IN THE SKY, PONYO, NAUSICAÄ OF THE VALLEY OF THE WIND and ONLY YESTERDAY.

Most films are presented in original Japanese with English subtitles, except for two family matinees of English-dubbed versions.

Series compiled by Gwen Deglise and Grant Moninger. Program notes by the IFC Center with additions by John Hagelston.